Regional Business Development Manager, Southern Africa

Join WaterAid as our Regional Business Development Manager to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. On top of that you'll be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation.

The Regional Business Development Manager is a central part of the Southern Africa Regional team and will play a key role in helping to expand WaterAid's funding portfolio as well as building regional intelligence, positioning WaterAid's work in our key thematic areas (such as health and climate), and proposal development.

The role will partner with country teams in the region, fundraising specialists, and technical experts across WaterAid as well as externally with donors and partners to develop a multi-year pipeline of opportunities and implementing a strategy for business development.

The postholder will be a strategic thinker, who is able to challenge and mentor country funding teams to appraise opportunities critically and to produce consistent, compelling proposals and funding strategies; and to deliver on targets.

This will focus on ensuring WaterAid is well positioned within key donor and consortium partner networks in the region as a 'go to' partner for long term sustainable WASH programming.

Key accountabilities among others include: Strategy Support country programmes in developing fundraising, donor and consortium partner strategies from a deep understanding of how to position WA's programmes within the current donor marketplace.

Contribute to overall new business strategy in collaboration with country teams, Senior Program Development Manager and Regional Director, assessing regional performance against Key Performance Indicators and annual revenue targets.

Pipeline development and management: Be responsible for growing and monitoring the pipeline of relevant funding opportunities to WA country programmes, coordinating with fundraising members to communicating donor intelligence, ensuring a balanced portfolio of funding types and ambition.

Provide strategic support to the sign on of larger funding opportunities, ensuring that WA country teams are supported to negotiate favourable positions within consortia and are able to effectively assess and mitigate for delivery risk.

Support the improvement of cost recovery in restricted funding contracts through supporting country teams to communicate and negotiate with donors and holding CPs to account for cost recovery KPIS.

Funding skills and capabilities development: Monitor the fundraising skills, capabilities and investment levels within country teams, and support the development of both funding focused roles and the capability of country SMTs to engage with donors and develop funding propositions

Play a leading role in co-creating and embedding business processes, systems, and policies for restricted funding

Build confidence in pursuing different funding modalities, including commercial contracts through accompanying country teams in the development of complex and novel bidding approaches (with the support of global teams and consultants)

Leadership and Line management Responsible for working with a high-performing team of country Heads of Funding and Donor Relationship Leads across the globe.

The RBDM will contribute to strategic and operational planning processes; define and deliver an agreed set of team performance targets; and providing guidance, coaching and support in helping peers achieve optimum performance.

The RBDM will contribute towards establishing the core new business processes of the team and will lead on and ensure effective linkages with other key stakeholders

Identify specialist training needs in the region and source relevant expertise from Programme Funding and Partnerships team (PFP) and other external avenues to address the capacity needs in the region.

To be successful, you will need the following: Master's Degree level qualification in international development, economics or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.

Approximately 10 years of experience in planning, securing and managing funds from institutional donors such as USAID, EC, UK Government, International Financial Institutions such as the WB, AfDB, local and international corporates, trust and foundations such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation etc.

Substantial experience and knowledge of the institutional funding space and a deep understanding of bilateral and multilateral donors' routes to market

Solid experience building partnerships to facilitate opportunities in consortium contracting and negotiating the position of WA in those consortia

Demonstrable track record of developing and delivering on strategies for restricted income growth.

Strategic networker with the ability to identify and transform opportunities into tangible results

Ability to work in a flexible and agile way to identify opportunities and address challenges

Ability to take complex information and simplify for audiences

Click on ' Apply ' to download the job description. If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, send your application consisting of a letter of interest and a CV before 06H00PM on 19 June 2024 , to [email removed - click apply for more details] , using RBDM-SA as the subject of the email.

We're looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We're looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.

In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfilment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate preemployment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We particularly encourage applications from women who are underrepresented at this level in the organisation.

Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date for applications.